Begin Understanding Chinese Calligraphy with the 5 Major Script Styles

In this article, I will delve into the five principal styles of Chinese calligraphy: Seal Script (Zhuan Shu), Clerical Script (Li Shu), Regular Script (Kai Shu), Running Script (Xing Shu), and Cursive Script (Cao Shu), along with their evolution and distinctive characteristics.

An Overview of Calligraphy Styles

In this article, I will provide a brief overview of the evolution of these calligraphy styles, aiming to quickly establish a fundamental impression that allows you to recognize them at a glance. Subsequent articles I will delve into the unique features and representative works of each style.

The Importance of the Template

You may have visited art galleries, museums, or seen calligraphic exhibitions by ancient or contemporary calligraphers. With the prevalence of social media, even WeChat Moments showcases people’s calligraphy. Many people feel at a loss when faced with a piece of calligraphy, unsure of how to appreciate it. In fact, the first step in appreciating a piece of calligraphy is not to look at the author or the content, but to identify the style of the script. The five styles are akin to the “table of contents” of Chinese calligraphy, providing a framework for understanding and appreciating these works.

The Five Main Styles

Any piece of calligraphy, regardless of its style, belongs to one of the five styles mentioned. Understanding these styles is key to grasping the essence of Chinese calligraphy. They form the basic template for evaluating and appreciating calligraphic works.

Regular Script as a Benchmark

To distinguish between the different styles, we use Regular Script as a benchmark because it is the most familiar to us. Whether you are writing with a pencil or pen in a grid, or using Chinese fonts on a computer, most are Regular Script, characterized by its square and orderly strokes.

Ancient people described the differences between Regular Script, Running Script, and Cursive Script with the phrase: “Regular Script stands like a person, Running Script walks, and Cursive Script runs.” Regular Script is like a person standing still, Running Script is like a person walking, and…